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United States Patent |
6,162,082
|
Karsten
,   et al.
|
December 19, 2000
|
Submersible electrical connector and method for quick connection and
disconnection including tamper indication
Abstract
A sealed connector assembly (10) for use with equipment subject to
submersion under water includes two electrical connector shells (25, 29)
which are inserted in bayonet fashion into opposite sides of a locking
member (40), which is then manually rotated to lock the parts together and
shield the electrical connection. The three parts have alignment marks
(56, 58, 59) for axial assembly and another mark (57) indicating the
rotation of the locking member (40) to a locked position. A body of grease
(55) is disposed in one connector shell (25) and an O-ring (50) is placed
on the barrel (27) to provide sealing when the connector shells (25, 27)
are locked together. The connector shells (25, 29) have wire entry ports
and sealing ports for admitting an encapsulating material to seal the wire
entry ends. Score lines (68, 69) allow for fracture and removal of the
locking member (40) during servicing. Methods of assembly and disassembly
are also disclosed.
Inventors:
|
Karsten; Lee L. (Fox Point, WI);
Gengler; Michael T. (West Allis, WI)
|
Assignee:
|
Badger Meter, Inc. (Milwaukee, WI)
|
Appl. No.:
|
238766 |
Filed:
|
January 28, 1999 |
Current U.S. Class: |
439/318; 439/321 |
Intern'l Class: |
H01R 013/213 |
Field of Search: |
439/318,312,557,313,321
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
3124405 | Mar., 1964 | Massa | 339/60.
|
3643208 | Feb., 1972 | Massa, Jr. | 339/102.
|
3719918 | Mar., 1973 | Kerr | 339/90.
|
4220808 | Sep., 1980 | Fujita | 174/48.
|
4433206 | Feb., 1984 | Lewis | 174/356.
|
4486062 | Dec., 1984 | Kasugai | 339/91.
|
4526431 | Jul., 1985 | Kasukawa | 339/45.
|
4629272 | Dec., 1986 | Mattingly et al. | 339/90.
|
4702710 | Oct., 1987 | Dittman et al. | 439/271.
|
4762504 | Aug., 1988 | Michaels et al.
| |
4874324 | Oct., 1989 | Andersen et al. | 439/271.
|
5067909 | Nov., 1991 | Behning | 439/315.
|
5387129 | Feb., 1995 | Hotea | 439/587.
|
5470248 | Nov., 1995 | Wood | 439/281.
|
5564938 | Oct., 1996 | Shenkal et al. | 439/301.
|
5567174 | Oct., 1996 | Erickson, Jr. et al. | 439/462.
|
5580282 | Dec., 1996 | Paterek | 439/685.
|
5662488 | Sep., 1997 | Alden | 439/314.
|
6010348 | Jan., 2000 | Alden | 439/274.
|
Foreign Patent Documents |
404123773 | Apr., 1992 | JP.
| |
Primary Examiner: Sircus; Brian
Assistant Examiner: Nguyen; Son V.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Quarles & Brady LLP
Claims
We claim:
1. A sealed electrical connector assembly for submersible applications, the
connector assembly comprising:
first and second tubular connector shells having sealed wire entry ends,
having telescoping barrel portions and carrying axially mating electrical
contacts;
a locking ring encircling the telescoping barrel portions and movable on
the first and second tubular connector shells between a first rotational
position and a second rotational position;
wherein said first and second tubular connector shells have at least three
radially outwardly directed projections reciprocally configured with at
least three radially inwardly directed projections of said locking ring to
provide for a keyed axial insertion and rotation of said first and second
tubular connector shells in relation to said locking ring;
wherein the locking ring forms a tooth projecting radially inward; and
wherein one of the radially outwardly directed projections on one of said
first and second tubular connector shells has a tapering profile in a
rotational direction, such that when said one of the radially outwardly
directed projection slides over and past said tooth upon rotation of said
one of said first and second tubular connector shells relative to the
locking ring, said rotation becomes irreversible and the locking ring
prevents manual disassembly of said first and second tubular connector
shells.
2. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second tubular
connector shells and the locking ring form three alignment marks, a first
alignment mark on each connector shell and a first alignment mark on the
locking ring, and wherein when said three first alignment marks are
rotationally aligned, first and second tubular connector shells and the
locking ring can be assembled in an axial direction.
3. The connector assembly of claim 2, wherein the locking ring forms a
second alignment mark spaced a rotational distance from said first
alignment mark on the locking ring, such that when the second alignment
mark is rotated to alignment with the first alignment marks on each
connector shell, the locking ring is moved to a locked position for the
connector assembly.
4. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the locking ring forms at
least one axially extending score line along which said locking ring is
susceptible to fracture with a hand tool for authorized removal, said
score line being observable to indicate attempted unauthorized removal.
5. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the locking ring forms at
least a second axially extending score line spaced an angular distance
from said first axially extending score line to allow flexing of two
portions of the locking ring and facilitating authorized removal.
6. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein one of the connector shells
is integrally formed in a wall of a box enclosure.
7. The connector assembly of claim 1, further comprising an O-ring
encircling one of said telescoping barrel portions for sealing a
connection between said first and second tubular connector shells.
8. The connector assembly of claim 7, further comprising a body of grease
disposed in one barrel of one of said telescoping barrel portions for
sealing a region around said mating electrical contacts.
9. A sealed electrical connector assembly for submersible applications, the
connector assembly comprising:
a first subassembly having an electrical connector and having a wire entry
end sealed against moisture penetration;
a second subassembly having an electrical connector and having a wire entry
end sealed against moisture penetration;
wherein said first subassembly and said second subassembly each have an
outwardly extending flange and each have a hollow body extending along a
central axis and forward of said flange, each subassembly having a
plurality of extending projections spaced around a respective hollow body,
and each subassembly having a groove disposed between said projections and
said outwardly extending flange;
a locking member having an opening along a central axis and having rim
flanges on oppositely facing sides for receiving and holding the
projections on the hollow body of each subassembly as each subassembly is
axially inserted into the opening, with said rim flanges being received in
respective transverse passageways in said first subassembly and said
second subassembly; and
wherein when said first subassembly and said second subassembly are
connected within said locking member, the outwardly extending flange of
each subassembly and the locking member forming an enclosure for a region
of connection between the subassemblies which is shielded from access; and
wherein said locking member has a non-reversing catch such that when a
projection on one of the subassemblies having a tapered profile in a
rotational direction slides over and past said catch upon rotation of said
one of the subassemblies relative to the locking member, said rotation
becomes irreversible and the locking member prevents manual disassembly of
said first said first subassembly and said second subassembly.
10. The connector assembly of claim 9, wherein the first subassembly, the
second subassembly and the locking member form three alignment marks, a
first alignment mark on each subassembly and a first alignment mark on the
locking member, and wherein when said three first alignment marks are
rotationally aligned, the first subassembly, the second subassembly and
the locking member can be assembled in an axial direction.
11. The connector assembly of claim 10, wherein the locking member forms a
second alignment mark spaced a rotational distance from said first
alignment mark on the locking member, such that when the second alignment
mark is rotated to alignment with the first alignment marks on each
subassembly, the locking member is moved to a locked position for the
connector assembly.
12. The connector assembly of claim 9, wherein the locking member forms at
least one axially extending score line along which said locking member is
susceptible to fracture with a hand tool for authorized removal, said
score line being observable to indicate attempted unauthorized removal.
13. The connector assembly of claim 12, wherein the locking member forms at
least a second axially extending score line spaced an angular distance
from said first axially extending score line to allow flexing of two
portions of the locking member and facilitating authorized removal.
14. The connector assembly of claim 9, wherein one of the connector
subassemblies has a portion that is integrally formed in a wall of a box
enclosure.
15. The connector assembly of claim 14, wherein at least one of the
subassemblies has a shell and an end cap covering one end of the shell,
the end cap having at least one wire entry port and at least one sealant
entry port, and wherein said end cap and a region interior of wire entry
is filled with a sealing material to seal the wire entry end of said one
of the subassemblies.
16. The connector assembly of claim 9, wherein the first subassembly and
the second subassembly each have a shell with an end cap covering one end
of the shell, the end cap having at least one wire entry port and at least
one sealant entry port, and wherein a region interior of the wire entry
port is filled with a sealing material to seal the wire entry end of each
of the first subassembly and the second subassembly.
17. The connector assembly of claim 9, wherein each said end cap includes a
body and a tab with an integral hinge to the body, the tab being movable
between an open position and a closed position in which it clamps one or
more wires in position.
18. The connector assembly of claim 9, wherein the hollow body of said
first subassembly is received inside the hollow body of said second
subassembly, and further comprising an O-ring encircling the hollow body
of one of the first subassembly and the second subassembly and a cavity
formed by another one of the first subassembly and the second subassembly
for receiving said O-ring.
19. The connector assembly of claim 18, further including a body of grease
disposed in the hollow body of one of the first subassembly and the second
subassembly for sealing a region around an electrical connection of the
two subassemblies.
20. A method of assembling an electrical connector assembly having a first
electrical connector subassembly, a second electrical connector
subassembly, and a locking member, the method comprising:
inserting the first electrical connector subassembly into one side of an
opening disposed along a central axis of the locking member, while
aligning a first mark on the first connector assembly to a first mark on
the locking member which aligns a plurality of reciprocally arranged
projections and notches on the first electrical connector subassembly and
the locking member so as to permit axial insertion;
inserting the second electrical connector subassembly into an opposite side
of the opening in the locking member, while aligning a first mark on the
second connector assembly to the first mark on the locking member which
aligns a plurality of reciprocally arranged projections and notches on the
second electrical connector subassembly and the locking member so as to
permit axial insertion into the locking ring where an electrical
connection is made with the first electrical connector subassembly; and
moving the locking member in a rotational direction to align a second mark
on the locking member with the first mark on the first connector assembly
and the first mark on the second connector assembly such that a projection
with a tapered profile in a rotational direction slides over a catch to a
non-reversible position to lock the connector assembly together.
21. The method of claim 20, further comprising, before the inserting steps,
placing a body of grease in a cavity around an electrical connector in one
of the first electrical connector subassembly and the second electrical
connector subassembly so as to cover a region of an electrical connection
between the first electrical connector subassembly and the second
electrical connector subassembly when connected within the locking ring.
22. The method of claim 21, further comprising, before the inserting steps,
placing an O-ring in position on a barrel of one of the first electrical
connector subassembly and the second electrical connector subassembly for
sealing an interengagement of the first electrical connector subassembly
and the second electrical connector subassembly.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to electrical connectors that may be submersed under
water and to methods for field installation and removal of electrical
connectors to provide a modular system of equipment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND ART
Prior art electrical connectors are shown in Alden, U.S. Pat. No.
5,662,488, issued Sep. 2, 1997; Shenkal et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,938,
issued Oct. 15, 1996; Behning, U.S. Pat. No. 5,067,909, issued Nov. 26,
1991; Mattingly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,629,272, issued Dec. 16, 1986; and
Kasukawa, U.S. Pat. No. 4,526,431, issued Jul. 2, 1985.
Alden shows a connector assembly with three basic parts: a male connector,
a female connector and a collar for connecting the two connectors. The
collar of Alden uses bosses, sometimes formed on flexible fingers, for
traveling in grooves to a position where they are held by frictional or
snap action forces against withdrawal. Behning also shows a ring-shaped
collar for coupling a male-type connector body and a female-type connector
and further provides alignment marks on the three parts to assist the
connection. Shenkal et al. discloses a collar that snaps over an edge that
is ramped in an axial direction and also shows an opening in such a collar
for the purpose of fracturing it and removing it to disassemble the
connectors.
Connectors with sealing aspects are disclosed in Kerr, U.S. Pat. No.
3,719,918, issued Mar. 6, 1973; Paterek, U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,282, issued
Dec. 3, 1996; Hotea, U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,129, issued Feb. 7, 1995;
Kasugai, U.S. Pat. No. 4,486,062, issued Dec. 4, 1984; Andersen et al.,
U.S. Pat. No. 4,874,324, issued Oct. 17, 1989; Dittman et al., U.S. Pat.
No. 4,702,710, issued Oct. 27, 1987; Lewis, U.S. Pat. No. 4,433,206;
issued Feb. 21, 1984; Massa, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 3,643,208, issued Feb. 15,
1972; Massa, U.S. Pat. No. 3,124,405 issued Mar. 10, 1964; and Yooku,
Japanese Abstract No. JP4-123773, issued Apr. 23, 1992.
Andersen et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,874,324 and Lewis, U.S. Pat. No.
4,433,206, disclose the use of a potting compound in an electrical
connector shell for the purpose of retaining and waterproofing both the
input cable and the individual wires routed to the connector pins and
sockets.
Hotea, U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,129 to Hotea, and Massa, Jr. U.S. Pat. No.
3,643,208 show methods of sealing connectors with potting compound.
In Paterek, U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,282, and Kasugai, U.S. Pat. No. 4,406,062,
show the use of O-rings for providing a seal between two mating
cylindrical parts.
None of the above prior art shows a connector for submersible applications
which provides for quick connection and locking to prevent further access
except in cases of further servicing or in cases in which such access
provides a tamper indication. Such a connector is desired for field
installation and servicing of water metering equipment located in
subsurface pits and enclosures.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a sealed connector assembly for use with equipment
subject to submersion under water. The connector assembly has two
electrical connector subassemblies, which are conveniently inserted and
locked by a locking member to prevent unauthorized access. The locking
member is frangible for authorized disconnection, and also to provide an
indication of unauthorized disconnection or tampering.
Each connector subassembly of the present invention is sealed at a wire
entry end and is double sealed at the front ends which are mated together.
The first seal at the front end is provided by a body of grease contained
in cavities of the connector bodies and closely surrounding the electrical
connectors. The second seal at the front end is provided by an O-ring seal
where the front end of one connector subassembly telescopingly slides into
the front end of the other connector subassembly.
The invention further provides an improved method for assembly and in the
field.
In one detailed aspect, the invention improves over prior systems in
providing a frangible locking member in the form of a collar with a pair
of score lines, one of which can be fractured to remove the collar, and
the other which can be fractured, or which can act as a hinge to allow
easier removal.
In another detailed aspect of the invention, the two connector
subassemblies and the locking member have alignment marks for axial
assembly and another mark indicating the rotation of the locking member to
a locked position.
The invention is provided in a wire-to-wire connection embodiment and in an
embodiment where two wiring subassemblies are connected to a junction box
for converting signals from the equipment being connected. The
configuration and operation of the two wiring subassemblies and the
locking member allows a technician handle and connect the two wiring
subassemblies even when working outside in cold or damp conditions. The
two wiring subassemblies are further provided with features, such as
radially exending flanges, which enhance the finger gripping of the wiring
subassemblies and the locking member.
Other objects and advantages of the invention, besides those discussed
above, will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the
description of the preferred embodiments which follow. In the description,
reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof,
and which illustrate examples of the invention. Such examples, however,
are not exhaustive of the various embodiments of the invention, and
therefore, reference is made to the claims which follow the description
for determining the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electrical connector assembly of the
present invention in an assembled but unlocked position;
FIG. 2 of the electrical connector assembly of FIG. 1 in an assembled and
locked position;
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the connector assembly of FIGS. 1
and 2;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the assembly in the unlocked position taken
in the plane indicated by line 4-4 in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the assembly in the locked position taken in
the plane indicated by line 5-5 in FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the assembly taken in the plane indicated by
line 6-6 in FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the
invention illustrated in a vertical position;
FIG. 8 is a transverse sectional view of two connector shells on the
embodiment of FIG. 7; and
FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken in the plane indicated by line 9-9 in FIG.
8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a first embodiment of a connector assembly 10 of the
present invention for electrically connecting a pair of multi-wire cables
11, 12 on the right to another multi-wire cable 13 on the left. Each cable
11, 12 and 13 includes a plurality of wires 14 (FIG. 3) which each further
includes a conductor (not visible) and an insulating covering. There is
also an insulating jacket 15 around each bundle of wires 14.
The cables 11, 12 and 13 are connected in a pair of connector
subassemblies, which are seen in FIG. 3. Each of the connector
subassemblies includes a tubular connector shell 25, 29, an electrical
connector 17, 21, an end cap 60, 61, and a sealant 67, which is injected
into the end caps 60, 61 to seal the back ends of the connector
subassemblies.
As further seen in FIG. 3, the female connector shell 25 has a stem 26 in
which the electrical connector 17 is inserted. The connector 17 is
connected to the wires in cable 13. The connector 17 has a body 18,
gold-plated conductor pins 19, and keys 20 on the body 18 for orienting
and holding the body 18 in position in the stem 26 of a female connector
shell 25. Alternatively, the connector 17 could be a male coaxial-type
connector. The stem 26, which extends towards the rear end of shell 25 has
a cylindrical exterior shape, but forms a passageway of generally
rectilinear cross section (like 23 in FIGS. 4 and 5) with reciprocally
keyed portions for mating with the keys 20 on the body 18. In the female
connector shell 25, there is a forwardly extending barrel 27 and the
connector 17 is in a recessed position in the barrel 27 to prevent
exposure of the pins 19.
Still referring to FIG. 3, a male connector shell 29 receives an electrical
socket connector 21 of a generally known type. Alternatively, the
connector 21 could be a female coaxial-type connector. The connector 21 is
connected to the wires 14 in the other two cables 11, 12. The connector 21
has a body 22, has a plurality of sockets in which gold-plated electrical
contacts are situated and has keys 24 on the body 22 for orienting and
holding the body 22 in the barrel 28 of the male connector shell 29. The
barrel 28 is formed with a cylindrical exterior shape, but also has a
central passageway 23 of generally rectilinear cross section (FIGS. 5 and
6) with reciprocally keyed portions for mating with the keys 24 on the
body 22. The barrel 28 has an external key recess 31 (FIG. 3) which mates
with a key 32 in the form of a projection in the barrel 27 of the female
connector shell 25. This orients the two parts in a rotational direction.
Referring to FIG. 3, the barrel 28 is oriented relative to the key 32 and
is then inserted axially into the barrel 27 of the female connector shell
25 where the pins 19 of connector 17 are inserted into the sockets of
connector 21. The barrel 28 has an outer diameter which is smaller than
the inner diameter of the barrel 27, such that the barrel 27 receives the
barrel 28 of a male connector shell 29 in telescoping fashion. The barrel
27, in turn, is received in telescoping fashion within a cylindrical
flange 39 (see FIG. 6) which encircles both barrels 27, 28 and abuts
axially extending section 38.
Referring again to FIG. 3, each connector shell 25, 29 has a respective
radially extending flange 33, 34 which provides a surface for finger
pressure when the connector shells 25, 29 are being pushed together along
a central axis 35. Gussets 66 are provided on the female connector shell
25 to assist gripping the connector shells 25, 29, during an assembly
operation to be described below.
The male connector shell 29 has three radially extending tooth-like
projections 36a, 36b and 36c formed on a cylindrical flange 39 of greater
diameter than barrel 28. The projections 36a, 36b and 36c are preferably
three in number, are arcuate in shape and are spaced apart around the
circumference of the flange 39.
The female connector shell 25 also has three radially extending tooth-like
projections 37a, 37b and 37c formed on a thickened axial section 38 of its
barrel 27. The projections 37a, 37b and 37c are preferably three in
number, are arcuate in shape and are spaced apart around the circumference
of the barrel 27.
The male connector shell 29 and the female connector shell 25 are
integrally formed parts which are molded of a plastic material.
The tooth-like projections 36a-36c and 37a-37c allow for a bayonet-type
connection to be explained further below. The shells 25, 29 are inserted
into, and secured by, a locking member 40, which could be characterized as
a locknut, a locking collar or a locking ring.
The locking member 40 is more particular formed as a ring-shaped band
having a notched flange 41 around a rim and around an opening 44 through
the middle of the member 40. There is also a notched flange 42 (not seen
in FIG. 3, but seen in section in FIG. 6) on the oppositely facing side of
the member 40 from flange 41. The notches 43 (see FIG. 3) in the flanges
41, 42 are spaced apart around their circumference and are configured to
receive the tooth-like projections of the connector shells 25, 29 between
radially inwardly directed portions of the flanges 41, 42. The reciprocal
configuration of the tooth-like projections and the flanges 41, 42,
properly orients the shells 25, 29, when they are inserted axially into
the central opening 44 in the member 40.
For locking purposes, the locking member 40 forms a ramp member 45 (FIGS.
3, 4 and 5) which is tapered in a circumferential direction around the
inside of the member 40. One of the teeth 36a on the male connector shell
29 has a curved, tapered profile in the circumferential direction (see
FIGS. 4 and 5). This allows the tooth 36a, first, to slide axially by the
ramp member 45 and flange 41 during axial insertion (see FIG. 4), and
second, when the member 40 is rotated counterclockwise (as viewed in FIGS.
1-3), to slide in the direction of rotation over the ramp member 45. The
ramp member 45 acts as a pawl or catch until the curved tooth 36a reaches
a non-reversible locked position on the thick end of the ramp member 45
(FIG. 5).
An O-ring sealing member 50 (FIG. 3) of elastomeric or other stretchable
material is seated in a groove 51 (FIG. 6) on the barrel 27 of the female
connector shell 25 and is supported on one side by a segmented ring 52
(FIG. 3) formed on the barrel 27. Gaps 53 are provided in the ring 52.
When the connector shells 25, 29 are assembled (FIG. 6), the O-ring 50,
which is first seated in a groove 51, is further received in the flange 39
of the male connector shell 29. The O-ring 50 provides a seal where the
shells connect 25, 29. The shells 25, 29 and the locking member 40 are
made of a water impervious plastic material and are molded as integral
components.
Referring again to FIG. 3, the interior of the barrel 27 of the female
connector shell 25 is filled with a grease 55 to encapsulate and provide a
first layer of protection for the conductive parts of the electrical
connectors 17, 21. A suitable grease for electrical connections is
provided by Nyogel 760-G available from Nye Lubricants, Bedford, MA. This
is placed in the female connector shell 25 at the factory, and held in
place by a temporary cap. In the field, the cap can be removed to allow
the connector shells 25, 29 to be connected together.
To seal the ends of the connector assembly 10, a pair of end caps 60, 61
are provided as seen in FIGS. 1-3. The end caps 60, 61 each have a tab 62
(FIG. 1) which is connected by an integrally formed hinge 63 (FIG. 1) to
their bodies. The end caps 60, 61 each have a hole 64 (FIG. 1) for
injection of a sealant material 67. The tab 62 has recesses 65 (one of
which is illustrated in FIG. 1) in the corners of its free end. Such
recesses 65 form part of the holes in end caps 60, 61 for receiving the
cables 11, 12 and 13.
The connector shells 25, 29 have alignment marks 56, 57, 58, 59, seen in
FIGS. 1-3, for assisting the assembly of one connector subassembly 17, 25,
60 (FIG. 3) and the other connector subassembly 21, 29, 61 (FIG. 3). The
locking member 40 has two ridges 56, 57 (FIGS. 1-3) extending axially on
its exterior. One is a long ridge 56 extending the full axial length of
the member 40 and the other is a short ridge 57 (FIGS. 1-3) extending
approximately half the length of the member 40. The short ridge 57 is
spaced apart by a selected rotational angle, which is this embodiment is
selected as approximately sixty degrees (60.degree.). This corresponds to
the rotational distance which the securing member is rotated between the
assembled position (FIGS. 1 and 4) and the locked position (FIGS. 2 and
5). Thus, the long ridge 56 is an alignment mark for the assembled
position, while the short ridge 57 is used to mark the locked position.
The male connector shell 29 has an axially extending ridge 58 formed on
its stem 30 behind the radially extending flange 34. The female connector
shell 25 has an axially extending ridge 59 and gusset 66 formed on its
stem 26 and behind the radially extending flange 33. These ridges 58, 59
or marks are located for alignment with the long ridge 56 on the locking
member 40 when the connector shells 25, 29 are axially inserted into the
locking member 40.
The locking member 40 also has two axially extending score lines 68, 69
spaced one hundred and eighty angular degrees (180.degree.) apart. These
score lines 68, 69 are provided for insertion of a tool in one score line
68 to fracture the securing ring. The other score line 69 acts as a hinge,
or it can also be fractured. The number and angular position of the
alignment marks and the score lines could be varied to different numbers
and angular positions in other embodiments.
The above described connector assembly 10 is utilized in methods for
servicing equipment in the field as follows. A technician will initially
install the connector to electrically connect equipment in underground
pits or enclosures. Earlier, at a manufacturing site, the end caps 60, 61
are pushed onto the ends of the connector shells 25, 29 with the hinged
tabs 62 in an open position. The electrical connectors 17, 21 are inserted
into the connector shells 25, 29 and the wires extend through the rear
ends of end caps 60, 61 with the hinged tabs 62 in their open position.
The hinged tabs 62 will then be closed to hold the cables 11, 12 and 13 in
place. A sealant material 67 is injected into the end caps 60, 61 to fill
in the region in and around the cables 11, 12 and 13. This provides an
electrical connector in each connector shell having the wire entry end
sealed. The cable and connector parts can then be taken to the field.
In the field, a male connector shell 29 is inserted in one end of the
locking member 45 and a female connector shell 25 with an O-ring 50 in
place is readied for insertion on an opposite side of the locking member
40. The temporary cap or seal which encloses the body of grease 55 in a
cavity formed by barrel 27 of the female connector shell 25 is removed
prior to this assembly. The two connector shells are then telescopingly
assembled with the pins 19 of the electrical connector 17 being inserted
into the sockets in electrical connector 21 (FIGS. 4, 5 and 6) to mate
with contacts therein, while the junction between connectors 17, 21 is
surrounded by the body of grease 55. The assembly will then be in the
position of FIGS. 1 and 4 with alignment of long mark 56 with the marks
58, 59 on the connector shells 25, 29. The locking member 40 is then
rotated sixty degrees until the short mark 57 becomes aligned with the
marks 58, 59 on the connector shells 25, 27. When that occurs, the tooth
36a with the curved tapered profile slides on, over and past the tooth or
catch 45 on the inside of the locking member 40 and the assembly will be
irreversibly locked to prevent access to the mated electrical connectors
17, 21. The only way to disassemble or unlock the assembly is to fracture
one or more of the parts. In this case, the assembly is intended to be
disassembled by fracturing locking member 40 along one of the score lines
68, 69 by insertion of part of a tool, such as a knife blade or
screwdriver tip, and twisting of the tool. The locking member 40 is then
fractured and removed. Once removed, the pin-type electrical connector 17
can be unplugged from the socket-type connector 21 and the shells 25, 29
can be separated. In the event that a technician observes that the locking
member 40 has been fractured before being serviced by the technician, this
is an indication of tampering with the connector assembly.
To reconnect one of the old connectors or to reconnect one of the old
connectors with a new connector, the technician supplies a new, identical
locking member 40, and connects two connectors as described previously for
initial installation. In this way, the invention provides a sealed
connection with ease of servicing in the field to disconnect and reconnect
equipment and at the same time providing a tamper indication.
FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of the invention. While the first
embodiment provides a wire-to-wire assembly, the embodiment of FIG. 7
provides two connections to a junction box enclosure 70. Such a unit is
used to signals from certain types of metering equipment and perform a
ratio conversion such as 1:10 or 1:100 before the signals are transmitted
to readout devices. The junction box 70 has a body 71 and lid 72 with
apertured tabs 73 for mounting the junction box enclosure 70. The body 71
has two connector shells 74, 75, corresponding to female and male
connector shells, 25, 29, which are integrally formed in one wall 76. One
shell 74 is the male connector shell while the other shell 75 is the
female connector shell. This provides a way of keying the two connections
to corresponding cables and connectors for two other units of equipment,
so that the connections will not be inadvertently reversed during
installation.
The assembly in FIG. 7 further includes a pair of locking rings 77, 78,
which are similar to locking ring 40, except that one must be flipped over
for installation. The assembly in FIG. 7 further includes a pair of
connector subassemblies, one having a female connector shell 79 for
connection to male connector shell 74, and the other having a male
connector shell 80 for connection to female connector 75. The female
connector shell 77 connects to one cable 81, while the male connector
shell connects to two cables 82, 83.
Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, it can be seen how the male shell 74 includes a
stem 84 with a keyed passage 88 for receiving the body 22 and keys 24 of
the socket-type connector 21. The female shell 75 has a keyed passage 89
for receiving the body 18 and keys 20 of the pin-type connector 17. Note
that the stem 84 resembles stem 85 extending in an opposite direction for
female shell 75. Also seen in FIG. 8 is a cross section of a groove 86 for
receiving an O-ring similar to O-ring 50 in FIG. 3. End caps 90, 91 are
seen on the connector shells 79, 80, but are not used inside the junction
box enclosure 70. Nevertheless, it is considered that the back end of each
connector 74, 75 in the interior of the junction box is sealed from the
environment by its sealed enclosure in junction box 70. From the
description of the second embodiment, it can be seen that the connector
shells 25, 29 of FIGS. 1-6 can be integrally formed with a wall 76 of a
junction box enclosure 70 or can be formed as freestanding connector
shells 25, 29.
This has been a description of the preferred embodiments of the method and
apparatus of the present invention. Those of ordinary skill in this art
will recognize that modifications might be made while still coming within
the spirit and scope of the invention and, therefore, to define the
embodiments of the invention, the following claims are made.
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